Author: Audrey McDonald Atkins

Born in the Oil Capital of Alabama, Citronelle, Audrey Atkins, made her way to the Steel City by way of the University of Montevallo, where she earned a B.A. in English. Her career began at RUST Engineering where she served as Sales Presentation Coordinator until a buyout encouraged a career change. For more than a decade, Audrey worked as a paralegal specializing in professional liability defense and commercial lending. A raconteur at heart, Audrey has written many articles for Birmingham Magazine and Lipstick. Audrey is glad to now be in the sales and marketing world where creativity and business collide and is the Marketing Manager at WBHM 90.3, Public Radio for the heart of Alabama. Outside of the office, Audrey enjoys watching sports with her husband and son, as well as painting, traveling, and cooking. Contact Audrey at audrey@folkwaysnowadays.com.

More Than You Can Chew

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. It’s an old adage about not taking on more than you can handle. It is said to have originally come from one man offering another a plug of tobacco. Not wanting the recipient to greedily take too much, the giver warned that his friend shouldn’t bite off … Continue reading More Than You Can Chew

The Tools in Our Tool Shed

Before I sat down to write today’s post, I asked Tragedy* what was a lesson he had learned this year.  In typical Tragedy fashion, he said, “I don’t learn lessons. I just keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again.” And his curmudgeonly response brings me to the fifteenth thing I’ve learned in 2020 … Continue reading The Tools in Our Tool Shed

I’m a Goal Drifter

I’ve never had many actual, concrete goals. I’m not a goal setter or a “goal digger” as my friend and See Jane Write founder Javacia would say. I’m more of a drifting drifter — whatever happens happens and whatever doesn’t happen doesn’t happen.  Goals were for people who were “driven” and “Type A” and said … Continue reading I’m a Goal Drifter

Make Time for Play Time

It all started with puzzles.  Tragedy* and I were here, locked down, with not much to do. Out came the 500 piecer. We finished it pretty quickly then tackled one with a thousand pieces. Then another. The more puzzles we did, the more fun we had doing them together.  We also got out the playing … Continue reading Make Time for Play Time

The Use of Tools — or — Things I Can Do That Monkey Audrey Can’t

The use of tools is what separates humans from animals.  Well … most animals. Primates, otters, crows, and octopuses have all been known to use rudimentary tools. But human animals have moved beyond using a rock to crack open a shellfish or wiping its rear with a leaf. Well … most humans.  When I think … Continue reading The Use of Tools — or — Things I Can Do That Monkey Audrey Can’t

Living With Tragedy

The tenth lesson I’ve learned in 2020 is that I can live with Tragedy. And by “Tragedy” I mean my beloved husband. That’s what I call him because of his resting sad face as compared to my usual mule-eating-briars Comedy grin. Get it? Comedy and Tragedy. What many of you might not know is that … Continue reading Living With Tragedy

Finding Comfort in “Canned Meats”

I wasn’t home a week during this pandemic before I was eating Vienna sausages out of a can. A few days later, deviled ham on crackers. Chicken spread wasn't too far behind that.  Back in March we just didn’t know what in the cat hair was going to happen! Would we be able to go … Continue reading Finding Comfort in “Canned Meats”

When Social Distancing Ain’t All Bad

Way back in March when the words “social distancing” came into our vocabulary, I became fairly despondent. As an extrovert’s extrovert, I couldn’t really fathom the idea of not being around people. But as much as I love socializing with all sorts of people from all walks of life, over the last few months something has slowly begun to dawn on me.

Make the Most of Your Free Time by Making

Yesterday I went to a painting class. It was an en plein air painting class held at Forstall Art Center in Birmingham and taught by local artist Amy Peterson. En plein air is an artsy way to say “outside,” so it was safe and easy to distance from the other students since Forstall held it … Continue reading Make the Most of Your Free Time by Making